Difference Between Cork Cambium and Vascular Cambium

Main Difference – Cork Cambium vs Vascular Cambium

Cork cambium and vascular cambium are the two cambiums found in woody plants. The action of both cork and vascular cambium increases the diameter of the stem as well as the root. The main difference between cork cambium and vascular cambium is that cork cambium produces the cork and the secondary cortex whereas vascular cambium produces secondary xylem and secondary phloem. Cork cambium develops from the secondary lateral meristem while vascular cambium develops from the apical meristem. Cork cambium provides protection to the stem and root while preventing the water loss. Since vascular cambium produces lignified cells, it provides the structural support to the plant.

What is Cork Cambium

Cork cambium is the layer of cambium that is formed from the secondary lateral meristem, immediately beneath the epidermis. Cork cambium is composed of parenchyma and collenchyma cells. That means it has the ability to divide. The cork cells (phellem) are produced on the outer side of the cork cambium. Phelloderm (cork parenchyma cells) is produced on the inner side of cork cambium. The cork cells, cork cambium, and the parenchyma are collectively known as the periderm.

Figure 1: Cork Cambium

Matured cork cells contain suberin, which is a fatty substance, preventing the water loss. Due to the presence of suberin, the cork cells are dead cells. The gas exchange from the inner parts of the trunk occurs through the lenticels. The cork cambium is shown in figure 1.

What is Vascular Cambium

Vascular cambium is the cylindrical secondary lateral meristem, which gives rise to the secondary xylem and secondary phloem. The vascular cambium produces secondary xylem on the inside of the cambium ring, and secondary phloem on the outside. The activity of the vascular cambium is under the influence of the season. In summer, the vascular cambium produces wider xylem vessels to conduct more water to the leaves since the rate of photosynthesis is higher during the summer. But in winter, since the photosynthetic rates are low, the vascular cambium produces tiny xylem vessels. This produces annual rings in the stem. The secondary components of the stem are shown in figure 2.

Figure 2: Secondary Components of the Stem

Similarities Between Cork Cambium and Vascular Cambium

Cork cambium and vascular cambium are involved in the secondary growth of the stem and root, which increases the diameter.

Function

Vascular Cambium:Vascular cambium produces vascular tissue to help the conduction inside the plant and provides structural support to the plant.

Conclusion

Cork cambium and vascular cambium are two types of cambium in plants that are involved in the secondary growth. Both cork cambium and vascular cambium are meristematic tissues. The cork cambium originates from the secondary lateral meristem while the vascular cambium originates from the apical meristem. The cork cambium gives rise to the bark and the secondary cortex. The vascular cambium gives rise to the secondary xylem and secondary phloem. This the main difference between cork cambium and vascular cambium.